Method for finishing leather



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WYMAN H. MEADE Ann'svnn 11. FRIESTEDT, or CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

METHOD FOR FINISHING LEATHER.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WYMAN H. MEADE, a citizen of the United States, and SvEN H. Fnms'rnnr, a subject of the King of Sweden, both residing at Camden, county of Camden, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods for Finishing Leather, of which the following is a specification.

The finishing of lighter shades of leather has always been a difiicult problem. In the methods previously employed only the most perfect skins were suitable, for example, to be finished a light gray color. If the skins varied in natural shade it was practically impossible, without entirely covering up the natural surface or grain pattern of the skin,

to produce an even shade throughout the entire skin. It was either a question of employing onl the perfect skins so as to insure a practical y even shade or the variation of the shade of the natural skin was overcome by painting or coating the same with heavy pigments which while they cover the imperfections, they also cover the natural grain pattern and the production was that of an artificial or painted appearing leather.

The main object of our invention is to so finish leather that even though the skin initially is of various shades that the leather when finished will be of a light gray color which is even in shade, and at the same time the natural grain pattern will not be destroyed.

In carrying out our impro ed method we employ the following elements :carbon in the form of graphite, tellurium, selenium and antimony; these elements being used in powder form and can be applied to leather either dr by a pad orabrush dipped in the pow ered elements and rubbed on the surface to be coated and finished or the elements can bemixed with various carriers or luster-producing or waterproofing materials Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J ly 19, 1921 Application filed October 14, 1919. Serial No. 330,636.

cessive coatings so that it takes the color of these elements, or they can be used as a preliminary coating to be applied to the leather to give it a uniform background or bottom on which other finishing materials or pigments may be applied to secure the desired color, luster, etc.

An example of producing agray finish employing the above mentioned elements in accordance with our invention, is as follows :--Make a 32 oz. solution containing 10 grams of carnauba Wax, 10 grams of boraX, 15 grams of casein and 15 grams of shellac. To this add 20 grams of selenium. Apply to the skin, dry and glaze.

Or use the above solution, of wax, etc., and 5 grams each of selenium, antimony, tellu-; rium and graphite.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. As a new article of manufacture, leather having a coating including selenium.

2. As a new article of manufacture, leather having a coating including finely divided. selenium.

3. As a new article of manufacture, leather having a coating including graphite, tellurium, antimony and selenlum.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in. the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

VVYMAN H. MEADE. SVEN H. FRIESTEDT. Witnesses:

ANNA BENTON, CHAs. E. Form. 

